Fire Displaces Dozens from Lewiston Building

LEWISTON, Maine — About 40 people were displaced from their homes after a fire tore through a 10-unit Lewiston apartment building.

There were no reported injuries from the fire in the four-story Blake Street building that was reported at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday. Eighteen of those displaced are children.

The cause remains under investigation, but Fire Inspector Paul Ouellette says it appears as if an electrical short in the attic caused insulation to catch fire. It is not considered suspicious.

Some residents may be allowed back in their units as soon as Friday.

Three arson fires that destroyed multiple apartment buildings and displaced about 200 people were reported in downtown Lewiston last year. Four people, including two juveniles, have been charged in connection with those.